LONDON, November 3, 2015 — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) this week welcomes the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro as a new government member. The announcement was made by PATA CEO Mr Mario Hardy at the Association’s annual Aligned Advocacy Dinner in London, UK on Monday, November 2, 2015 in the presence of UNWTO Secretary General Mr Taleb Rifai andMrs Zeljka Radak Kukavicic, Managing Director, National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro.

Montenegro is becoming increasingly popular as a year-round tourism destination – attracting sun lovers to its delightful Adriatic coastline and winters sports fans to the nation’s popular ski resorts. It is a country bursting with opportunities for adventure travellers and Mr Hardy believes that membership of PATA will give tourism industry leaders an important platform for penetrating new markets such as China and sources markets across Southeast Asia.

“Montenegro welcomed over 1.5 million visitors in 2014 and that figure is certain to rise year-on-year as the country’s tourism brand continues to strengthen. Tourism receipts are providing important economic benefits to regional communities throughout Montenegro and we look forward to working with the National Tourism Organisation as they continue to expand their tourism portfolio in a responsible and sustainable manner,” said Mr Hardy.

Mrs Kukavicic added, “Montenegro is strengthening involvement in international organizations in the field of tourism, and reinforcing its reputation and the position of Montenegro tourism in the world. The Asia-Pacific region is important market for Montenegro, and we expect growth in the next period. I am sincerely pleased that Montenegro became a member of PATA, one of the most important international organizations in the field of tourism. We are aware of the importance and growth of the Asia pacific region and I am sure that through PATA network of members we will benefit and further develop tourism in Montenegro.”

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About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for profit association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, comprising 88 government, state and city tourism bodies, 22 international airlines, airports and cruise lines, 62 educational institutions, and hundreds of travel industry companies in Asia Pacific and beyond. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 41 local PATA chapters worldwide. The chapters organise travel industry training and business development events. Their grassroots activism underpins PATA’s membership of the Global Travel Association Coalition (GTAC), which includes ACI, CLIA, IATA, ICAO, WEF, UNWTO and the WTTC. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing, Sydney, and London. Visit www.PATA.org.